Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the coordinators began crafting a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is scheduled for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and other game masters likely in the same boat and also want to improve their skills,” explained the program's dean.
Available Classes and Ticket Packages
Dungeon Masters can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes one of four courses:
- Skill Building: Teaches the fundamentals of leading a game.
- Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
- Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
- Professional Development: Aimed at DMs who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.
Each course includes two days of instruction divided across two days.
“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can join, learn from, and then go right back home the following week and apply in your home campaign.”
Professional Teachers
The majority of workshops are led by two professors. Universe creation is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the craft of setting creation.
Career building presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to participants with definite objectives.
“Some of them want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, some of them plan to produce and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Premium Packages
A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.
“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to lead a session for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and coaching.
“The aim is for the teacher to review whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”
Next Steps
Input from the debut workshop will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I anticipate that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with big conventions.”
